How can my simulation be a real love?

"If there's a chance later, how about I paint a portrait of you, Hongxia?"

Of course, it's not just about drawing one for Miss Hongxia.

If he could, Kazami Mei would love to print every smile and frown of Nijika on paper and then frame them one by one on the living room wall at home, so that he could see Nijika's gentle smile every day when he came home.

"Eh? Can you draw it for me?"

Upon hearing this, the blonde girl's lips gradually curved into a beautiful smile. An inexplicable sense of joy welled up in her heart, making Hongxia, whose emotions were somewhat complicated, feel relaxed and lively. Even the ahoge (cowlick) on her head twirled gently with pleasure.

"—Oh, right!"

"I suddenly remembered there's an art supply store in Shimokitazawa. How about I take Naru-san there?"

The girl's bright smile made Kazami Mei pause for a moment.

At that moment, he vaguely saw the pure white wings slowly unfolding behind the blonde girl. The light and luminous feathers seemed to float in the air, and the golden circle shaped like light was mysteriously suspended above her head.

I saw an angel in Shimokitazawa today!

"Then I would be extremely grateful for your help."

If it weren't for the large pile of things he was carrying, Kazami Mei would have liked to quickly put his hands together and bow respectfully to Miss Nijika.

"Wwww, seriously~ Why is Naruto-san suddenly being so respectful?!"

Seeing Kazami Mei's attitude change 180 degrees, Iji Chi Niji Natsu, who was holding an umbrella, was also a little amused and exasperated.

As she chatted and laughed, she could vaguely feel her heart beating faster and faster. Just thinking about how similar Kazami Mei was to the one in front of her and the one in her dream made it impossible for Nijika to calm down, no matter how hard she tried...

My ears are burning hot, what should I do?

……

In the blink of an eye, the two arrived at the 'Beast Art Supplies Shop' in Shimokitazawa.

The store's decor truly matches its name, with various drawings displayed throughout, especially sketches of muscular men, which speaks volumes about the owner's excellent taste.

The dazzling array of paintbrushes and paints was overwhelming. Somewhat curious, Iji Chikatsu pretended to look around the store, but in reality, she was secretly observing Kazami Mei's every move.

For some reason, she found herself unable to take her gaze off him.

"Ming-sang, what kind of paintbrushes are you planning to buy?"

"I plan to buy some of all kinds, maybe I'll come in handy."

Kazami Mei casually picked up a wooden oil painting brush and put it into the shopping basket.

This subtle movement was naturally seen by Ichiji Nijika. The girl pursed her thin cherry lips slightly, her gentle eyes seemed a little dazed, and her face showed a hint of certainty.

Sure enough, they are oil paintbrushes...

Why is he so similar to him in real life as he is in my dreams?

Ijichi Nijika is not an atheist. On the contrary, because she lost her mother at a young age, she has always believed in ghosts and gods. Even when she noticed this 'supernatural' event, she was only a little at a loss, but she quickly adjusted her mindset and calmed down.

This might be what is known as a 'parallel world'.

She seemed to have dreamt about a 'parallel world'. If what she dreamt about was connected to reality, then in another parallel world, did she actually marry Kazami Mei?

Just by noticing this possibility, Ichiki Nijika felt the temperature on the tips of her ears rise continuously.

The emotions she desperately tried to suppress rebounded like a spring, and a blush of shyness instantly spread across the girl's fair and flawless face, while wisps of white smoke began to slowly rise from her little head.

"Hongxia, are you feeling unwell?"

Kazami Mei noticed Ijichi Nijika's unusual behavior and immediately put down her shopping basket to come up to her and ask her about it.

However, it was precisely because of Kazami Mei's sudden approach that the already chaotic Ms. Nijika's body temperature rose again, and her delicate body trembled as if on fire, taking two steps back.

"No, no!"

"I just feel it's a bit too stuffy inside the store, I'll go outside and get some fresh air!"

Not wanting Kazami Mei to notice anything amiss, Ichiji Nijika put on her usual gentle and bright smile.

She put on an energetic look, clenched her little fist, and while laughing and fooling Kazami Naruto, she slowly backed away. When she found an opportunity, she quickly turned around and quickened her pace to escape out of the store.

This made Kazami Mei frown slightly, and a strange look appeared in his eyes.

Just now, in order to shield him from more raindrops, Hongxia probably didn't tell him that she herself got wet. Even though Hongxia, as a drummer, is physically stronger than most girls, she could easily get a fever or cold if she accidentally got wet in the rain.

He really should be more careful.

……

Whew! Ha!

Although she managed to escape temporarily by using the excuse of getting some fresh air, Ichiji Nijika was well aware that she couldn't keep hiding from Kazami Mei forever; she would have to face him sooner or later.

Perhaps from the moment she realized she was 'marrying' him, her attitude towards him had already undergone an irreversible change.

"Waaaaah! What do I do? What am I going to do...?"

Despite the cold wind blowing, her ears and cheeks were still burning hot.

Somewhat at a loss, Ichiji Nijika could only cover her face and squat on the ground for the time being. Her two crystal-clear crimson eyes, like jewels, stared at her toes through her fingers. The tenderness she felt for him and the shyness of 'marriage' were squeezed together so forcefully.

No matter how chaotic her emotions and thoughts were, Ichiji Nijika knew her most obvious emotion at that moment.

"So... I do like him, don't I?"

The moment she murmured those words to herself, a gentle mist welled up in the girl's eyes.

In fact, she had already noticed the change in her feelings long ago. Just as her proud and arrogant older sister had said, from a very early time, she had been unable to take her eyes off Kazami Mei.

However, she had completely hidden these feelings.

Whether it's her best friend Ryo or the cheerful Kita, their attitudes toward Kazami Mei are quite obvious. Even Pochi, who is usually the least good at expressing himself, is clearly different in front of Kazami Mei.

Everyone in the band must like him.

Because she didn't want to compete with others, Ichiji Nijika didn't reveal her feelings for him.

However, it was only after a sudden 'dream' that Ichiki Nikka realized she could no longer hide her true feelings.

"I'm such an idiot!"

The girl's triangular ahoge (antenna-like hair sticking up) on her head started spinning wildly; she was now completely caught in a state of extreme confusion.

Now it's impossible for her to 'forget' Kazami Mei, but if Nijika wants to marry him like in the 'dream,' it will inevitably hurt the other members of the band who are ending their careers.

She couldn't bring herself to do it, yet she didn't want to give up the chance to be with him.

"Give up? Absolutely not..."

"Give up what?"

Kazami Mei walked out of the store carrying a bag of paintbrushes and tools. No sooner had he finished shopping than he heard Nijika say something that was hard to understand.

Ichi Nijika was clearly surprised that Kazami Mei would suddenly appear, and even more surprised that he could hear her muttering to herself. Her little brain immediately started working at high speed.

She forced herself to remain calm, her face showing a hint of apology, her delicate brows furrowed, and a helpless smile playing on her lips.

"It's nothing~ I was just thinking about the live performance."

She wasn't exactly lying, since she had indeed been thinking about live performances lately!

Upon hearing this, a look of understanding flashed in Kazami Mei's eyes.

Ms. Nijika, who is used to bearing the pressure alone, is naturally worried about the upcoming live performance. However, in his opinion, whether or not the band can achieve success at the fireworks festival, ending the band will not affect everyone's steps forward.

Moreover, Kazami Mei doesn't think ending the band is a failure; everyone is equally talented and hardworking.

"Trust me and everyone else, and trust yourself too."

Kazami Mei smiled and took a can of juice out of the bag, gently tossing it to the blonde girl in front of her.

Hongxia, realizing what was happening, hurriedly took the can. The cool aluminum can in her hand brought a blush to her cheeks, and her initial tension gradually eased.

That makes sense, after all, Ming is right there.

"I, I understand~"

"Actually, I'm not that worried. Just watch how I perform, Ming-san!"

Ichiji Nijika grinned her cute little white teeth and gently waved her arms to show off her strength.

But in his eyes, she didn't look 'imposing' at all. On the contrary, she was so cute that his hand holding the art supply bag trembled slightly.

"Really? I hope Hongxia won't be able to sleep tonight because she's worried."

"No way!"

Ichiji Nijika pouted slightly, seemingly annoyed, but her eyes were filled with gentle tenderness. Her already gentle face blossomed into a radiant smile that was as comforting as a spring breeze, and her rapidly beating heart began to calm down.

Looks like I successfully fooled them with my cheerful attitude. What a close call!

"By the way, Hongxia, could you come over here for a moment?"

"Uh-huh?"

"I apologize for the slight offense."

Although she was a little confused, Miss Hongxia slowly moved closer to him.

Before she could react, Kazami reached out and gently stroked her forehead. The slightly rough yet incredibly warm touch made Miss Nijika's delicate body tremble, and her bright red eyes widened instantly.

Kazami Mei carefully felt the temperature of the back of her hand; it wasn't as hot as she had imagined.

I've confirmed it; she doesn't have a fever.

"Huh, huh!?"

"I just saw that you helped me shelter from the rain but got soaked yourself, so I wanted to see if you were feeling unwell."

"No, my shoulders only got a little wet..."

The energetic Miss Hongxia instantly softened. Instead of running away from Fengjianming out of shyness, she stood timidly next to him with a blush on her face and spoke softly.

Kazami Mei gasped, having never seen Nijika like this before.

Oh no, Hongxia's mom is so cute.

Although Kazami Mei can easily deal with other women, she is completely unable to resist a cute and gentle mother character like Nijika. And what's with Nijika blushing like this?

Could it be that she's secretly in love with him and that's why she's shy?

At that moment, Kazami Mei suddenly remembered something, and her dark eyes, which were looking at Ijichi Nijika, became more alert.

"Oh, right, there's another place I'd like to go."

"Eh? Where are you going?"

It's definitely not LoveHouse.

Kazami Mei smiled mysteriously at Miss Nijika, then led her to a music store in Shimokitazawa. He went in and came out again in less than five minutes.

As Ichiji Nijika tilted her head in confusion, Kazami Mei slowly took out the box and handed it over.

"This is?"

The blonde girl instinctively took the bag from his hand and couldn't help but ask a question in confusion.

"The Winged Dragon of the Sun God - spherical".

"Eh?"

Somewhat confused, Hongxia peered through the bag opening and her face instantly showed surprise.

"Drumsticks?!"

"Something seemed off when you were playing the drums today. There must be something wrong with the head of one of the drumsticks, right?"

This was also thanks to the enhanced sense of pitch granted by [Musical Genius Lv.2], which allowed him to accurately detect the abnormality of the drum kit even when multiple instruments were being played simultaneously. Without this, he would not have been able to discover Hongxia's abnormality.

The sudden surprise made her heart pound, as if someone were gently tapping it with a drumstick.

"I will cherish it!"

Ichi Nijika hugged the drumsticks tightly to her chest, as if she were embracing some precious treasure.

The drizzling rain had stopped sometime ago, and the warm sun pierced through layers of white clouds, scattering across the puddles on the asphalt road. The air was fresh and clean, seemingly without a trace of impurity.

The blonde girl stood with her hands behind her back, her eyes, slightly moistened by the mist, fixed intently ahead like autumn water.

Whether it's drumsticks or something else, she cherishes it all.